Closure with passage slit for a haemostatic valve assembly

Abstract

A closure for a valve ( 128 ) of a connector ( 100 ) of a haemostatic valve assembly comprises a resilient closure member ( 130 ), which defines a first and a second, opposite end surface ( 156; 160 ) and at least one passage slit ( 164 ). The passage slit is normally closed and extends between the two end surfaces, the passage slit being arranged to open by a tubular member ( 134 ) being extended therethrough, the passage slit ( 164 ) having a wider extent at the first surface than at the second surface. A plurality of such passage slits ( 164 ) may define a first, common point of contact ( 166 ) on the first surface ( 156 ) and may extend radially outwardly from the point of contact ( 166 ) at the first surface ( 156 ).

1 . A closure for a valve ( 128 ) of a connector ( 100 ) of a haemostatic valve assembly, the closure comprising a closure member ( 130 ) which is made from a resilient material and which defines a first and a second, opposite end surface ( 156 ; 160 ) and at least one passage slit ( 164 ), the passage slit being normally closed and extending between the two end surfaces, the passage slit being arranged to open by a tubular member ( 134 ) being extended therethrough, the passage slit ( 164 ) having a larger extent at the first surface than at the second surface.  
   
   
       2 . A closure according to  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of passage slits ( 164 ) which define a first, common point of contact ( 166 ) on the first surface ( 156 ) and which extend radially outwardly from the point of contact ( 166 ) at the first surface ( 156 ).  
   
   
       3 . A closure according to  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of passage slits ( 164 ) define a second, common point of contact ( 168 ) on the second surface ( 160 ).  
   
   
       4 . A closure according to any of claims  1 - 3 , wherein at least one of the passage slits ( 164 ) has a length on the second surface ( 160 ) which is at most 1/10th of the length of that passage slit on the first surface ( 156 ).  
   
   
       5 . A closure according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first end surface ( 156 ) and at least a portion of the second end surface ( 166 ) define two substantially parallel planes, and wherein an axis extending between the first and second common point of contact is substantially perpendicular to the two planes.  
   
   
       6 . A closure according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion ( 170 ) of one of the first and second end surfaces ( 156 ; 160 ) is concave.  
   
   
       7 . A closure according to  claim 6 , wherein said concave portion ( 170 ) is provided on the second surface ( 160 ).  
   
   
       8 . A closure according to  claim 1 , wherein a face ( 156 ) of the closure member ( 130 ) abuts a proximal end surface ( 152 ) of a main section ( 114 ) of the connector, one of said face and end surface ( 152 ; 156 ) being provided with a protrusion ( 158 ) for engaging a corresponding indentation ( 154 ) provided in the other one of said face and said end surface ( 152 ; 156 ).  
   
   
       9 . A closure according to  claim 10 , wherein the closure member ( 130 ) is made from a resilient material which is adapted to deform in the area of said protrusion and said indentation when said face and said end surface ( 152 ; 156 ) are biased towards each other, so as to thereby provide a liquid tight seal near an outer periphery of the passage ( 110 ; 112 ) at a proximal end thereof.  
   
   
       10 . A closure according to  claim 8 , wherein the protrusion ( 158 ) is integral with the closure member ( 130 ).  
   
   
       11 . A connector ( 100 ) for a haemostatic valve assembly and comprising a closure according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       12 . A connector according to  claim 11 , wherein the valve ( 128 ) with the closure is arranged near a proximal end of the connector.  
   
   
       13 . A connector according to  claim 12 , wherein the second surface ( 160 ) of the closure is oriented to face the proximal end of the connector.  
   
   
       14 . A kit comprising a connector ( 100 ) according to  claim 11 , and a side arm tubing ( 126 ) for a side arm ( 122 ) of the connector.  
   
   
       15 . A kit according to  claim 14 , further comprising a stopcock ( 124 ) to be connected to one end of the side arm tubing ( 126 ).